We went out in the afternoon, looking for a good dhabha. Since we are staying a fair distance away from the civilisation we hired a cab and four of us jumped in. We skimmed through a few eateries before finally settling on a place that was really small but promised good food as it was one of the oldest dhabhas in the area. We were hungry and we ate as though there was no tomorrow. We weren't let down by the food either, as we thoroughly enjoyed the food while talking about almost everything from the meaning of "calories" to the developments in the IPL. After getting back to our hotel totally satisfied and heavy bellied, we went out for a digestive stroll in the mountains. We continued our multi-topic discussions along the way.

That's when I realised just how lucky we were to be given this chance to enjoy each other’s company, without a worry of the future creasing our foreheads - at least for the moment. This is a luxury only the domestic cricketers get to enjoy, as one can't imagine Test cricketers going dhabha-hopping or having a stroll without getting mobbed. Certainly not in India.

Yes, everyone playing domestic cricket is trying to make it into or make it back into the Indian team, but one could and certainly does have a lot of fun along the way. Perhaps most of us are too caught up in the pursuit to achieve our goals, and hence don't realise its importance right now but I'm sure that we're going to miss all of this when it's over. It's not just the cricket one would miss (once one decides to call it a day), but also the days spent sweating it out for and with one’s team-mates on the field - even during practice sessions, spending hours on the roads, trains, flights and airports together and sharing the best time of our lives in each other’s company. I am savoring each moment of it all because I know it's not going to last forever.

Please don't misunderstand me here, I'm not hanging up my shoes anytime soon - far from it. It's just that the peaceful surroundings here gets you into an introspective mood.

God bless

Aakash,
As always very thoughtful article providing insights into the mind of a professional cricketer. I have always been wanting to ask this...how do professional cricketers recharge..after giving their all on the field day in day out? For some amateurs like me who play ONLY on the weekends and have rest of the week to cope...recover..recharge...and introspect, how do professional cricketers cope with a life like that...I know there is passion about the game and all that when or rather how do you guys get to switch off when there is always pressure around.. how do you recharge and get ready for the next game when so much is spent day in day out.

Always looking forward to your articles.
-Sunil

Hey bro
U hit the nail on the head. The journey, is very often, the destination...just that in these goal-setting days, we forget to tarry awhile and enjoy the scenery. Perhaps with a few more days of contemplation , you can write a tome titled, ' Zen and the Art of Opening with Viru'. What say Aakash?

Thoughtful and interesting as always from Aakash. He provides good look ins into the life of a sporting professional in a meaningful way with a human touch to it.

Akash, I sincerely hope you will not "disappear into the mass" after your playing days. Your articles and your TV interviews display perspicacity which Indian cricket will intensely benefit from, either in administration or the media.

Akash, never mind if you cant make it to Indian team again. You will end up as best cricket player & writer. These sort of insights are highly valued even for folks who don't follow the game.

There is charm about your writing.. If you decide to hang up your bat I might not be bothered much, but don't hang up your pen.

Keep them coming..

Aakash, I am happy you are doing a wonderful job as a writter. We want you in Indian colours, we are surely missing some classic brand A test match batting. Cheers

I would take the liberty of applying the same principles to any sort of team sport in any part of the world. Anybody who has played any team sport at any level will vouch that the true reward lies in the art of wining together and the journey thereto, than just some prize money or an ornamental trophy. Personally, I feel this (I might be trifle judgmental) is more applicable in a non-professional setup. During my playing days of school and university, the motivation for all of us always was each other’s company and the art of achieving it together. I've obviously not played any professional sport but I often wonder whether a professional player can ‘afford’ to reflect and savour such moments! To put this in perspective, all of us go to a workplace in pursuit of our professional goals – how many of us have the luxury of savouring the relationships we form in office rather than the deadlines that are handed out? It’s the same for a professional player as well; isn’t it? Food for thought?

A delightful article.Akash,i live in Singapore.I bought and read your book.Unfortunately 4 of my friends borrowed the book from me and read it too.I say unfortunately because the sale of your book was reduced by that number !!While i will not say that your book has set the Singapore river on fire,it is definitely doing well as it deserves to.Your writing reminds me of RK NARAYAN and RAJAJI(do you know who he was)-very simple,yet very refreshing and one fells sorry that the the Book is over when it is finished.Pl do continue writing and show the ANDREW FLINTOFFS and ADAM GILCHRISTS that not only our cricket strokes original,but that we donot believe in ghost writers who try to increase the sales of their books by raking up unseemly controversies.

I suggest the pic in the blog be enlarge-able so that we get a glimpse of the faces that rule Indian domestic cricket.We will get to see some of these faces in the IPL,so an enlarge-able photo would be better here.

I wish you give us such write-ups of such lesser known places in future.These places will not be frequented by the international side for sure,so the only way we get to know about such places is through blogs like this.I expect a similar piece about Nagothane in a future piece of yours.

"Zen and the art of opening with Viru" was a good one from a fellow commenter.I expect you to write Viru's biography after he retires.

Hi Akash,
I make it a point to read your blog regularly. You are certainly a unique 'thinking / writing cricketer' rather than the usual "ball is coming nicely" types. Keep it up! Would love to get my hands to your recently published book. Where can i get it ?

Hey buddy, how u dng? nice to read ur thoughtful article like always ....i seriously feel nostalgic thinking about days we played together and hang out without a care in the world. Chal take care and catch you soon in Delhi

Hi Akash,

I always read your blog and in fact wait in anticipation for ur next entry. Its amazing to read about the simple things of life from someone who has played at the highest level for India. I believe you should be in the Indian test team at least... till then keep enthralling us with your posts...

Hi Aakash,

Being an amateur who has been away from the game for a couple of years that is precisely what I miss. The camaraderie, the friends, the travel.

I guess for us it is the sheer indulgence for 4-5 months of the year. Where one can be a child and live the dream, every weekend. Or if you are lucky to be living in warm weather locales (I am in Ottawa, ON and gets to -30C) or close to say Toronto that has a bunch of indoor centers and train all year round and infuriate your better half, the dream continues year long!!

But on the flip side for a professional like you as many perks as there maybe, it might get like work. Plus staying away from family and being on the road does take a beating on anyone.

As a club cricketer I enjoyed having a drink and the post game meal (that a lot of times was cooked by me). Just sitting under a tree and talking about cricket or whatever it maybe.

Glad you wrote and shared an article such as this with us.

Hi Akash,
Really nice to hear your honest feelings about cricket and life in general. Enjoying each day/moment in life..seems easy but yet so hard. And the good thing nobody can train/coach you on that.
Enjoy.

Hey Aakash,

It would be delightful if you could also reply to some of the readers' comments - would love to know your thoughts on what amateurs like us write/think!

Cheers!

Hey Akash ...
A good article. Some times the journey is really good than the destination. God knows weather one would reach his destination or not, but surely one would have lot of momories during the journey. Continue writing and also playing akash...dont hang up.
I desperatly want to read your book "Beyond the Blues". I am staying in Dubai, pls tell me if i can get the book any where in UAE or should i order it from India. Pls advice.
All the best for the ranji one day tournament. CHEERS

On one hand,while I am happy to see my state TN doing well in the domestic OD championship,I was equally disappointed to see Delhi lose to HP in spite of your century and Rajat Bhatia's 77.Success or failure,I am sure you are relishing the journey.I was also happy to see Nehra taking that hat-trick against Punjab.Great going.

Thanks for your blogs, Aakash. fun reads.
And good luck with your own performance, and that of your team.
But I am from Himachal, and just wanted to make a comment re. the previous post: its only good for Indian cricket if smaller teams like HP emerge and are able to showcase their talents. Yes, there are a few 'expats' in the HP team, but the consistently good performers--except Sarandeep--are very much local (Sangram, Ashok Thakur, Paras Dogra, Mannu, Vishal).
Now, I myself played district cricket in Kullu, and can tell you that we don't have facilities in the state (outside of one/two places) that come close to what you have in just South Delhi.
So, in sum, GO Himachal!!

Hey Akash,
I knw its pretty irrelevant...but i feel u should talk yo Badri one o these days n ask him how he is handling all the disappointment...i beleive tat both o u r sailin on the same boat..u cud probably ask him if the selectors hav got in touch wid him..moreso coz he is from TN and even Chief Selector is..so probably theres a chance..i feel a chat wid him wil help both o u...